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With the resignation of Rio Rancho Mayor Kevin Jackson, the city needs a new leader, but it won't be up to voters to choose his replacement.

The embattled mayor announced on July 16 he would step down after less than 18 months in office. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Even though he plans to step down, some City Council members say they want him to appear before them on JUly 20 to answer questions.

Under the city charter, the council will appoint a replacement mayor, who will serve until the next election in March 2008.

Jackson, who was elected in March 2006, has been accused of making questionable purchases with his city-issued credit card. He did not respond to a request for comment on July 17.

Councilor Michael Williams, who finished last in a field of three in the 2006 mayoral election, is the deputy mayor and has been performing some of the mayor's duties in Jackson's absence.

Williams declined to comment on Jackson's resignation, but he said on July 17 other councilors have told him they might appoint him mayor.

Councilor Delma Petrullo said that although Williams is the obvious choice, the council has yet to make a decision.

"It could be literally anybody," she said.

Jackson announced his resignation late on July 16 via e-mail.

"As I end my 35-year career as a soldier, public servant and elected official, I will look upon the challenges and opportunities that I had as positive ones," he said in an e-mail to city officials.

He also said "placing my family first is the most critical thing for me at this time."

Petrullo said she is happy with Jackson's announcement.

"I think he's doing the right thing, and we can get on with the healing," she said.

Jackson's attorney confirmed the mayor was resigning, but Rio Rancho's city attorney had yet to receive Jackson's letter of resignation late on July 16.

At least two city councilors and a pair of unions have called for Jackson's resignation in recent weeks after allegations surfaced that the mayor spent about $5,300 in questionable purchases with his city credit card. The purchases ranged from an $11.68 lunch at a fast-food restaurant to $1,600 worth of tickets to a Willie Nelson concert.

City councilors voted last week to subpoena Jackson because he had refused to speak to the allegations.

Despite his plan to resign, Jackson was served the subpoena on July 16 and is required to appear before the council to answer questions during a special meeting on July 20. If he does not attend the meeting or if he chooses not to answer the council's questions, he could face misdemeanor charges.

Petrullo said the council plans to go ahead with the subpoena and investigation of Jackson.

"I still have questions," she said. "I think everyone does."

Councilors had already censured Jackson, passed a vote of no-confidence, took away his city credit card and suspended his travel budget.

Rio Rancho residents on July 16 began collecting signatures for a recall effort.

Jackson also is accused of double-billing the city and New Mexico Family Council-Best Choice, a nonprofit group he founded, for the same trips. The nonprofit, which fired him in May, also accuses him of check fraud and mismanaging federal grant money.